BUILDING A BETTER IMMUNE SYSTEM AGAINST SARS
By Dra. Annabel Carungin

Stress, a hectic lifestyle and poor eating habits all take their toll on the immune system. Bolster your immunity and overall health with Carlson Health Food Supplements.

As the season of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is now invading the Philippines, are you waiting for the virus to "catch" you? In reality, we do not "catch" viruses and bacteria. Everyday we are surrounded and covered by billions of microbes. A bacteria or virus invades, or overgrows, only when our immune systems can no longer fight off the organism.

Hand washing is one of the simplest, most reliable ways to reduce the transmission of viruses and bacteria. Our hands come into contact with numerous objects each day; doorknobs, posts, elevator buttons, plates and cups, and water faucets, to name a few. Throughout the day, we also rub our noses and eyes, push hair away from our faces and brush food crumbs from our mouth. Unwittingly, we deliver germs directly to our respiratory and digestive systems via our noses, eyes and mouth. Washing your hands and scrubbing under your nails several times per day help to minimize these exposures.

All the hand washing in the world, however, can't prevent a cold or flu, if your immune system is run down from stress, a lack of adequate sleep and / or poor nutrition. All of these factors contribute greatly to depressed immunity. Therefore, exercise along with ample amounts of rest and relaxation and good nutrition are the foundations of a healthy immune system.
Vices such as smoking and drinking alcoholic drinks also seriously harm our immune system.

Stress adversely affects the health of your entire body, including your immune system. Getting enough sleep (at least eight hours each night) is essential for a healthy immune system. Several studies have shown a link between depressed immunity and lack of adequate sleep. Certain foods and overall poor nutrition decrease immune system function. For example, one gram of sugar can reduce immune system activity for up to 24 hours. And heavily processed, refined foods require more energy to be broken down. For a strong immune system, focus on nutrient rich fresh foods such as steamed vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fish; minimize your consumption of dairy products, red meats and sugary foods.

Carlson Health Food Supplements help to improve immune function. Keep in mind that food supplements can never take the place of a good diet, rest, exercise and a viable emotional support network. Carlson Health Food Supplements immune boosters are an important addition to the primary lifestyle choices you make. The following lists of Carlson Health Food Supplements are indicated for both immune system support to be shielded / as an armor on the battle against SARS!

B-Compleet = provides the principal B-vitamins in a balanced high-potency formulation to reduce daily stress.

CoQ10 = the everywhere energy nutrient, acts as an antioxidant, like a spark plug in your car engine, it helps decrease free radical activity along with beta-carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

Echinacea + C = helps to boost immune function by increasing white blood cell (WBC) activity. Rather than directly ?attacking? bacteria or viruses, it acts by stimulating the WBC that responds to the invader.

Grape Seed Extract = an extraordinary antioxidant, an active bioflavonoid that can neutralize an even wider range of free radical forces than does Vitamin E. By no means does this imply that they can replace Vitamin E, but their presence certainly magnifies the overall effectiveness of your antioxidant program.

Beta-Carotene = Of the carotenoids found in vegetables, beta-carotene is one of the most biologically active. It is converted to Vitamin A only when this important vitamin is needed by the body. It does not accumulate in the liver, making it safe, effective source of Vitamin A (natural). It strengthens the immune system, through its conversion into Vitamin A, one of our major infection fighters. According to research, doses of beta-carotene greater than 30 mgs taken for more than two months produced a significant enhancement of immune system function.

Glutathione Booster = designed to provide the body with the nutrients needed to elevate or maintain healthy glutathione and glutathione peroxidase levels. (Master antioxidant). It effectively detoxifies the liver.

Super 1 Daily = with hectic schedules, this is the most recommended extra-strength dietary supplement providing vitamins and minerals from natural sources, to boost our immune system.

Vitamin E = The "chief executive antioxidant", supplements of 1,200 IU / day, according to a small study of 32 men and women older than 60, will enhance certain markers of a healthy immune system. The ability to resist infections and illnesses wanes with age, making the nutrient all the more important as we get older. Another well-publicized recent study showed that the immune system benefits might be optimal for elderly people with doses of just 200 IU. It produced a 6 fold increase in antibody response.

Vitamin C = Everyone knows that Vitamin C can knock out a cold or other infection. Though it does kill bacteria directly and aids in neutralizing bacterial toxins, the primary reason that C fights colds so well is that it boosts our natural defenses. Almost all cells of the immune system receive some nutritional support, but the biggest beneficiaries are interferon, antibodies and white blood cells, which lose Vitamin C. during illness.

In addition to these Carlson Health Food Supplements, Do not forget our Biomagnet Daytime Treatment for health maintenance and Nighttime treatment for melatonin production which gives a lot of good healthy benefits to the body.